Dropleaf extension table



Aug. 14, 1956 K. KOBSCH 2,753,898

DROPLEAF EXTENSION TABLE Filed March 9, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 lA/VENTORKARL KOBSGH u MW Arrys.

Aug. 14, 1956 K. KOBSCH 2,758,898

DROPLEJAF EXTENSION TABLE Filed March 9, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNl ENTORKARL KOBS'CH Arrrs.

Aug. 14, 1956 K. KOBSCH DROPLEAF EXTENSION TABLE 8 Sheets-Sheet FiledMarch 9, 1953 INVENTOP KARL KOBSCH yMz Mau Mu Arrrs.

Aug. 14, 1956 Filed March 9, 1953 DROPLEAF EXTENSION TABLE K. KOBSCH2,758,898

8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR KARL KOBSCH Aug. 14, 1956 K. KOBSCH DROFLEAFEXTENSION TABLE 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 9, 1953 Aug. 14, 1956 FiledMarch 9, 1953 K. KOBSCH DROPLEAF EXTENSION TABLE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 UnitedStates Patent QfifiC 2,758,898 Patented Aug. 14, 1956 2,758,898 DROPLEAFEXTENSION TABLE Karl Kobsch, Medford, Mass. Application March 9, 1953,Serial No. 341,205 4 Claims. (Cl. 311-61) The present inventionparticularly it relates to relates to extension tables. More a drop leafextension table which,

table and which will be neat appearing and useful as a smaller typetable when unextended.

In present types of extension tables and drop leaf extension position.Also, in many of the present types of extension tables, the tabledivides in the center and the halves are pulled apart to extend it. Inthis case the table top must be divided down the center which spoils theappearance of the unextended table.

In addition in drop leaf extension tables the drop leaves, which arenormally drawn out and become the end portions of the extended table,are usually supported up in a horizontal position by folding bracketsattached to the frame of the table. Thus, the drop leaves hang out inspace and the extended table comprises an elongated top supported on ashort base which makes the extended table wobbly.

The present invention provides a drop leaf extension table which has aneat appearance when in closed or in open unextended position. It issimple to extend and provides a sturdy well supported table in allpositions. The table top is a single undivided piece, there are nohidden latches to be located and operated manually and when the table isin extended position the extended portions of the table are supported bya foldable leg resting securely on the floor. Furthermore, the foldablelegs are not unfolded and folded by hand as is the case in many presenttypes of drop leaf extension tables, but unfold and fold automaticallyas the table is extended or returned to unextended position.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the drop leaf extension table of thisinvention in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 1 showing the drop leaveslifted to a horizontal position.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view showing the center table top and drop leavesrotated with respect to the base and with the drop leaves drawn partlyaway from the center table top as the table is extended.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view showing the table with the top and drop leavesremoved.

Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view crosswise through the table which is inclosed position.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view associated parts.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the pivot lock in lockingposition.

Fig. 9 is a section along the lines 99 of Fig. 7.

of one of the pivot locks and position with supplementary the table top.

Fig. 11 is a top plan View of a hinge connection between the table topand one of the drop leaves and showing the means to slide the hinge pinin and out of the hinge.

Fig. 12 is a section along the line 1212 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is similar to Fig. 11 but showing the hinge pin out of thehinge.

Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view of the table top and one of the dropleaves showing the locking studs and the arrangement of the hingedconnection.

Fig. 15 is a bottom plan view of the hinged connection shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 16 is a section along the lines 1616 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a top plan view of approximately one-half of the table,showing one of the drop leaves drawn away from the table top, when thetable is extended and before the insertion of a supplementary leaf.

Fig. 18 is a section along the lines l8-18 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a side elevation partly in section longitudinally throughapproximately one-half of the table in extended position and indicatingthe movement of one of the foldable legs as the table is extended andclosed.

Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 19 but showing the foldable legs infolded position.

Fig. 21 is a section along the lines 2121 of Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a section along the lines 2222 of Fig. 20.

Fig. 23 is a top view of one of the leg locks which lock the foldablelegs in unfolded position.

Fig. 24 is a front elevation of one of the leg hinges, showing the upperhalf of the hinge which cooperates with the leg lock to lock thefoldable legs in downward position.

Fig. 25 is a top view of a foldable leg in downward position and showingthe leg lock engaged with the leg hinge to lock the leg in position.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, thedrop leaf extension table 10 of this invention presents the appearanceof an ordinary drop leaf table when in closed position. In this positionthe parts of the table 10 which may be seen are a table top 11, dropleaves 12 hinged to the table top, end aprons 13, a bridge member 14, apedestal 15 and legs 16 attached to the pedestal 15 to support thetable. As indicated in the drawings, the side edges of the top aremilled to interfit the adjacent edges of the drop leaves.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the means by which the table 10 isextended are located under the table top 11 between the end aprons 13and are supported on a frame 25. They include two pairs of extensionrails 20 and 21 and a pair of stationary rails 22. The frame 25 isformed of two base members 26 set flat, a top member 27 and two members28 set on edge between the members 26 and the top member 27.

The table top 11 is pivotally attached at its center to the top member27 of the frame 25 at a pivot point 30. When the table is in closedposition (Fig. 1) the table top 11 lies longitudinally with the rails20, 21 and 22 so that the drop leaves 12 may be lowered clear of therails 20-22. To open the drop leaves 12, they are raised and rotatedwith the table top 11 90 in a clockwise direction so v that when the top11 lies longitudinally across the rails 20, 21 and 22 the drop leavesare supported on the end portions of the rails. From this position thetable may be extended and supplemental leaves 17 added to transform itinto a family size dining table illustrated in Fig. 10.. Two foldablelegs 23, one to support each end of the extended table, are folded underthe table top 11 when the table is in unextended position.

The extension rails 20 are attached at one end to one of the end aprons13 and the extension rails 21 are similarly attached to the other endapron 13. All the extension rails are slidable on the flat set members26 of the frame 25. The stationary rails 22 are attached to the members26. The extension rails 20 and 21 are sli'dably connected to thestationary rails 22 by dovetailed tongues and grooves 29. The topsurfaces of all the. rails 20, 21 and 22 are flush with the top of themember 27 of the frame 25.

As seen in Figs. and 6, the bridge member 14 is narrow and extendsacross the underside of the frame 25, being seccured to the undersidesof the members 26. A short ramp member 32 is secured on top of thebridge member 14 and has curved sides seen in Figs. 19 and 20 over whichthe bottom ends of the foldable legs 23 ride as they move to foldedposition as will subsequently be explained. The pedestal extends up intoand is secured in the bridge member 14 and the ramp member 32. Referringto Figs. 6 and 11 through 16, when the table 10 is in closed positionthe drop leaves 12 are each connected to the table top 11 by two backflap hinges 34. When the table top 11 and drop leaves 12 are rotated toopen position the drop leaves 12 are disconnected from the table top 11by withdrawal of hinge pins'35 from the hinges 34, and became attachedto the respective pairs of extension rails and 21.

The two leaves of each of the hinges 34 are connected and disconnectedby long slidable hinge pins 35, one of which extends between the twohinges at each side of the table top 11. These hinge pins 35 are carriedin grooves 36 under the table top and their middle portions are held inthe grooves by plates '40. A stud 37 .on each hinge pin extends downbelow the underside of the table top 11 as part of the means to slidethe hinge pins which will subsequently be described in detail. Lockingstuds 38 (Fig. 14) also extend below the underside of the table top 11and are closely adjacent the studs 37 and are the same radial distancefrom the pivot point as the studs 37 when the table is in closedposition. In the closed position of the table, the locking studs 38 andstuds 37 on the hinge pins are received in clearance grooves 43 in therespective outside rails 20 and 21.

Referring to Figs. 4, 11 and 13, plates 41 are attached in mortises inthe upper surfaces of the stationary rails .22. A slot '42 in each-ofthe plates 41 curves in froma side of the plate and thenextendslongitudinally of the plate to provide a cam surface. The curvedportions of the slots '42 are radial to the pivot point 30. When thehinge .pins are in position connecting the leaves of the hinges 34, thestuds 37 of the hinge pins are the same radial distance from the pivotpoint 30 as the eu- -trances of the slots 42. .As the table top 11 anddrop leaves 12 are rotated clockwise from closed position to openposition, the studs 37 pass over the outermost rails through radialclearance grooves 43 and 44 and enter the slots 42 of the'cam plates'41.

Fig. 11 shows the relation of the parts when the table 'top 11 and 'dropleaf '12havebcen1rotated'to:a position about 30 short of the openposition. At thisjpointthe :studs 37 have passed through the curvedportions-of the .sl'ots42 to the longitudinal :portions of the :slots.Then eas table top and dr'op leaves are rotated the rest of :the

Way to the open position, the studs 37 ride along the longitudinalportions of the slots 42 and the hinge pins 35 are withdrawn from the.hinges 34. The leaves of the hinges 34 are then free to separate and thedrop leaves 12 are disconnected from the top 11. See Fig. 13.

When the table is in open position the studs 37 are in the longitudinalcam portions of the slots as described above and the locking studs 38are in the curved portions to secure the table top 11 to the stationaryrails 22.

Looking at Figs. 4, 6, l4 and 17, two locking studs 39 extend below theunderside of each of the drop leaves 12 and a plate 46, having a slot 47curved radially to the pivot point 30, is mortised into the top of eachof the extension rails 20 and 21 to connect the locking studs 39 to theextension rails when the table top 11 and drop leaves 12 are rotated toopen position. For this purpose the radial distance from each of thelocking studs 39 to the pivot point 30 with the drop leaves. 12 raisedis the same as the radial distance from the respective lock slots 47 ofthe plates 46 to the pivot point 39. The positions of the lock slots 47on the pair of extension rails 20 and on the pair 21 are staggered sothat the radial distances are difierent. The respective locking studs 39are correspondingly staggered and a clearance groove 48 is provided overthe group of rails at each side of the frame 25 so that one of thelocking studs 39 on each drop leaf 12 passes over one group of railspast the plate 46 in that group and engages the lock slot 47 of theplate 46 on one of the extension rails inthe other group of rails attheopposite side of the frame 25.

Thus when the table top and drop leaves have been rotated from closedposition to open position the drop leaves 12 are disconnected from the.top 11 and are respectively secured to the extension rails20 and 21,and the table top is secured across the stationary rails 22. The tablemay then be extended by drawing one or both of the drop leaves 12 andthe extension rails to. which they are attached out from the table top11. See Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 4, 7, 8 and 9, a pivot lock 49 and a lug v50 toactuate it are associated with one of the lock slots 47 on each-pair ofextension rails 20 and 21. These pivot locks lock one of the studs 39 oneach of the drop leaves 12 in the lock slot 47 of the plate 4.6 on oneof the extension rails of each pair 20 and 21 as the table is extended.The structure and operation of the pivot locks 49 are best shown anddescribed with reference to Figs. .8 and 9 which show the pivot lockwhich is attached on one of the extension rails 20. While only this onepivot lock is referred to in the following description, it will beunderstood- :that the other pivot lock which is. on one of the slidablerails 21 is exactly similar.

The pivot lock 49 is pivoted under the plate 46. It has :one end hookedto pass around behind the stud 39 in the lock slot 47 when moved tolocking position. At the other :end the pivot lock-49 has two projecting.tips 51 and 52 \of which tip 51 is longer. Both tipsextend into an"undercut portion 53 of the adjacent stationary rail 22. The lug-50 isan upward projection of a plate, 54 which is mortised in the side .ofthe stationary rail 22, and :it extends into the undercut portion 53 in.position to engage the projecting tips 51 :and 52 of the pivot lock 49.

Beforerthe pairs of extension rails 20 and 21 .are drawn out to extendthe table, the lugs 50 are between the tips 51 and 52 as shown in Fig.7'. As the extension rails are drawn-out in the directionof the arrow38, Fig. 8, the short tip 51 is displaced by the lug- 50, which pivotsthe pivot locks 49 into locking position. As the table is closed again,the extension rails move in the direction of the arrow 7, Fig. 7. Thelonger tip 52 strikes the'iug .50.and pivots the pivot lock 49 tounlocked position again.

Referring now to Fig. 5 and Figs. :17 through 25, the :foldahle legs 23which-support the extended portions of the table are hinged by hinges:57 to the tops ;of two :hridge members :56 which .areattachedaorossszthe .undersides of the respective pairs of extension rails 20and 21 adjacent the respective end aprons 13. Thus one of the bridgemembers is attached to the pair of extension rails 20 and the other isattached to the pair of extension rails 21 so that a foldable leg 23 isattached to each of the pairs of extension rails 20 and 21.

When the table is in either closed or open position the foldable legs 23are folded up underneath the top of the table where they are nestedbetween the groups of extension rails. In this position the free ends ofthe foldable legs 23 extend across the top of the ramp 32, as indicatedin Fig. 5.

When the table is extended the foldable legs 23 are drawn out with therespective pairs of extension rails 20 and 21 and'when their free endsare clear of the ramp 32 they swing down about the hinges 57 until thesides of the legs at the top butt against the sides of the bridgemembers 56. The foldable legs 23 are then in substantially verticalposition and support the extended portions of the table.

The structure and operation of the foldable legs 23 at opposite ends ofthe table are similar, therefore the following description refers to onefoldable leg 23 only, it being understood that the same descriptionapplies to both.

As shown in Fig. 24, the leaf of the hinge 57, which is attached to thefoldable leg 23, has two ears 58 which extend slightly above the top ofthe leg and form part of a lock to secure the foldable leg in verticalposition. A leg lock 60, which is a plate hinged to a block 61 attachedto the bridge member 56, has a downwardly bent finger 62 and a tongue 63extending beyond its edges 64 at its free end. When the foldable leg 23is in vertical position, the edges 64 of the leg lock 60 drop behind thecars 58 of the hinge 57 and prevent the foldable leg from swingingtoward its folded position. The tongue 63 which drops between the ears58 steadies the leg lock 60 in position.

To release the leg lock 60 so that the foldable leg 23 is free to swingup, the leg lock is raised by a link 66 which lifts the finger 62 of theleg lock until the edges 64 of the leg lock are lifted up from behindthe ears 58. The link 66 is operated to release the leg lock and also tofold the foldable leg by pushing the ends of the table in from extendedposition.

At one end the link 66 is connected to the upper end of the foldable leg23 by a stud 67 which extends loosely through a slanted slot 68 in thelink. The other end of link 66 is supported up under the table top 11 bybeing cradled through the U-shaped portion of a U-shaped support 69which is attached under the top piece 27 of the frame 25. Fastenedacross the link 66 is a wing member 71 which extends perpendicularly outto the side of the link 66 and into the path of the foldable leg 23 asthe leg swings upward to folded position so that the leg strikes thewing member 71 and lifts the link 66 as indicated in Figsv 19 and 20. Anotch 72 in the bottom edge of the link 66 catches on the bottom of theU-shaped support 69 when the extended end of the table is pushed in butslides past the U-shaped support 69 as the table is extended.

It will be appreciated that the amount by which the table may beextended is determined by the length and number of extension rails whichmay be varied as desired without departing from the spirit of thisinvention. Therefore, the links 66 are made long enough to remainsupported through the U-shaped members 69 when the ends of the table arecompletely extended.

As an end of the table is extended, the link 66 being attached to thefoldable leg 23 is carried out with it and the notch 72 is pulled outbeyond the U-shaped support 69. Then when the extended end of the tableis pushed in the link moves in until the notch 72 catches on theU-shaped supports 69. Further inward movement causes the link 66 to pushin the direction of the arrow 73. This forces the slot 68 to ride up thestud 67 and raise the outward end of the link 66 in the direction of thearrow 74 so that the link lifts the finger 62 of the leg locking hinge60 which raises the edges 64 of the leg lock from behind the ears 58thereby releasing the leg lock. Cont'mued pressure on the end of thetable causes the bottom of the slot 68 to press against the stud 67 andforce the leg 23 to swing about the hinge 57 up toward folded position.As the leg reaches the top of its upward swing it strikes the wing 71 ofthe link 66 and lifts the link so that the notch 72 is disengaged fromthe U-shaped support 69. The link 66 and the leg 23 are then free tomove in under the center of the table and the bottom of the leg 23 ridesup over the ramp 32 as the end of the table is pushed in the rest of theway.

To enlarge the table 10 of this invention from its closed position shownin Fig. l the drop leaves 12 are raised to a horizontal position and thedrop leaves and top 11 are rotated clockwise The table, of course, maybe used in this position, the drop leaves 12 being supported up inraised position on the pairs of rails 20, 21 and 22. To enlarge thetable further the drop leaves and the pairs of extension rails 20 and 21to which the drop leaves are then locked are drawn out from the tabletop 11 in the direction of the arrows 3 in Fig. 3, as described above.Either or both ends of the table may be thus extended, depending uponthe size desired. When the end or ends of the table are extended,supplementary leaves 17 are inserted between the top and the drop leavesacross the exposed rails. As indicated in Fig. 10 the adjacent edges ofthe table top 11, the drop leaves 12, and supplementary leaves 17 may bemilled to inten'it.

T 0 return the table to unextended position the supplementary leaves 17are removed and each end of the table is pushed in. Pushing the ends inalso folds the foldable legs 23 as described above. Then the table topand drop leaves are rotated counterclockwise 90 to return the table toclosed position. When the top and leaves are thus rotated, the studs 37of the hinge pins 35 are moved out of the slots 42 of the cam plates 4-1which slides the hinge pins 35 to connect the leaves of the hinges 34together again so as to connect the drop leaves 12 to the table top 11.At the completion of the rotation the drop leaves fold down and hangbeside the table.

It will be understood that the above description is of the preferredembodiment of the drop leaf extension table of my invention and thatvarious changes and modifications of its structure may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A drop leaf extension table comprising in combination a frame, atable top rotatably mounted on the frame, a drop leaf, a hingeconnection between the drop leaf and the table top, said hingeconnection having elements respectively attached to the drop leaf andthe table top, and means actuated by rotation of the top relative to theframe operating to connect the elements of said hinge and thereby thedrop leaf to the table top when the table top is rotated to a firstposition relative to said frame, said means operating to disconnect theelements of said hinge and to separate the leaf from the table top whenthe table top is rotated to a second position relative to said frame.

2. A drop leaf extension table comprising in combination a frame, atable top rotatably mounted on the frame, a drop leaf, a hingeconnecting the drop leaf to the table top when the table top and dropleaf are in a first position relative to the frame, said hinge havingtwo leaves one of which is attached to the drop leaf and the otherattached to the table top, a slidable hinge pin to connect anddisconnect the leaves of said hinge and thereby connect and disconnectthe drop leaf to the table top, and means for sliding said hinge pin todisconnect the leaves of said hinge when the table top is rotated to asecond position relative to the frame and to connect the leaves of saidhinge when the table top is rotated to said first position.

3. A drop leaf extension table as set forth in claim 2 which includesextension rails supported on the frame and slidable outwardly and theninwardly relative thereto, and means for connecting the drop leaf to theextension rails when the table top is rotated to said second position,said means including means for disconnecting the drop leaf from theextension rails when the table top is rotated to said first position.

4. A drop leaf extension tahle comprising in combination a frame, atable top pivotally mounted on a frame, a drop leaf, a hinge connectingthe drop leaf to the table top when the table top and drop leaf are inone position relative to the frame, said hinge having two leaves one ofwhich is attached to the drop leaf and the other attached to the tabletop, a slidable hinge pin to connect and disconnect the leaves of saidhinge, said hinge pin having a stud thereon and connecting the leaves ofthe hinge when the table top and drop leaf are in said position,stationary rails attached to said frame, extension rails slidablerelative to said frame, a am plate on at least one of said stationaryrails engaging the stud on said hinge pin when the table top and dropleaf are rotated to a second predetermined position and sliding saidhinge pin to disconnect the leaves of said hinge, locking stnds on saiddrop leaf, and lock slots in said extension rails engaging said rockingstuds when the table top and dro leaf are rotated to said secondposition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

